Container



June 24, 1941. G. B. ANDERSON CONTAINER Filed Nov. 12, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Rae/afar".-

N 05 R JON GEORGE B. A

June 24,, 19411. a ANDERSON 2,247,341

CONTAINER Filed Nov. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheef 2 Q 3 4 is f a n Q I Hi III

S Jive/@27 Awomsm Patented June 24, 1941 HTE S rare;-

9 Claims.

My invention appertains to containers, crates, and the like. It has moreparticular relation to structures of this character that are adapted forthe dependable and rapid packing of fragile articles, such as glassware,chinaware, bric-a-brac and similar household furnishings, in order thatthe packed articles may be safety handled and shipped in moving vans andother means of transportation.

Heretofore, it hasbeen the general practice to separately wrap fragilearticles and then pack a number of these wrapped articles in side-bysiderelation and superposed on each other in a barrel or other container. At:best this is a laborious proceeding and requires considerable time andlabor which incurs an additional item of expense above the actualtransportation cost. This is due to the fact that upon reachingdestination, the articles must again be laboriously handled while theyare separately unwrapped after each article is removed from a container.

With my present structure I successfully avoid the necessity forwrapping each article and, when they are placed in my novel containereach article is effectively protected against damage due to the specialconstruction and arrangement of the interior of the container. This, Ihave found, provides a material saving in the expense of movinghousehold furnishings from one location to another, and it is especiallytrue in moving jobs where there is a proportionately large quantity offragile goods. Furthermore, the containers, being of uniform outsidedimensions, they are capable of being compactly and readily stowed inthe vehicle where they occupy less space than barrels and the likebecause the latter are incapable of compact stowing within the limitedinterior of a moving van, and they are clumsy to handle.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a storage containerthat is simple and novel in construction, and which is dependable inperforming its functions. Another object is to provide a novel shippingcontainer that is easy to safely pack with fragile articles. and at thesame time it is capable of being handled with the ordinary care givento'the containers now available. Also it may be packed with much greaterspeed than is now required to pack fragile articles in ordinarycontainers such as barrels and the like. Furthermore, my improvedcontainer is economical to manufacture as it may be fabricated fromcommercial material and may be sol d fora reasonable retail price i Allof the various objects and advantages of my invention I prefer toaccomplish through the medium of the structure which is hereinafterfully described and is more particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. In this connection I refer to the accompanying drawings whichform a part of this specification. The drawings are more or lessschematic and they are for the purpose of disclosing a typical orpreferred form in which my invention may be made. In these drawings likereference characters are used to identify the same parts wherever thesaid part-s appear in the different views.

Inthe drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my novel container for fragilearticles and the like, showing the box opened and one of the top traymembers raised.

Figure 2 is another perspective view with two walls of the box brokenaway to disclose construction and arrangement of the lower portion ofthe interior, the removable tray members being omitted.

Figure 3 is a-perspcctive View, drawn to a larger scale than Figures 1and 2, and illustrating the preferred manner of constructing a tray andits cellular units.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section near the topof a tray showinga mode of anchoring a cell to a tray wall.

Figure his a vertical transverse section at the bottom of the boxshowing a mode of anchoring a lower cellular member to the box.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken longitudinally through the frontportion of the box on i line 6-45 of Figure 1.

Figure '7 is a vertical section taken transversely across a centralportion of the box on line l-lof Figure'l.

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken longitudinally through the rearportion of the box on line 8-4! of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken transversely across an end portionof the box on line 8-9 of Figure l.

Owing to the small dimensions of the structures shown in the drawings,(excepting Figures 3, 4. and 5) the details of the walls of the traysand cellular members are omitted and only the thickness of these wallsare illustrated diagrammatically for clearness'.

The body portion .of the container consists of a rectangular bottom wallit), longitudinal front andrear vertical walls I! and I2, and transverseend vertical walls l3 and 14. These walls are assembled to form a hollow'box-shaped recepbox and the bottom B of the cellmembers.

tacle that is open at its top and which may be suitably reinforced andbraced in any manner desired. A lid or cover I is hinged or otherwisemovably connected to the upper portion of rear wall I2 is order toprovide a suitable closure for the receptacle, and a hasp or otherlatching device is employed to maintain the cover in a closed position.

The interior of the box or receptacle above described is adapted toreceive a plurality of cellular members, a certain proportion of saidmembers being disposed in the bottom of the box and anchored inposition, while others of these cellular members are removably disposedupon and supported by the anchored members. As shown in Figures 1 and 2,the cellular members are arranged in groups and these groups are ofseveral different heights with the upper or removable groups supportedor in superposed relation upon the lower groups that are anchored in thebox. In Figure 2 the anchored cellular members are shown and it will beseen they comprise several groups, and one of these groups contains sixrectangular cells I! that are relatively narrow in width and are open attheir tops to permit ready access to their interiors. Alongside andabutting the end walls of this group I! is another group composed ofthree cells l8 that are narrow in width, or substantially of the samewidth as the cells i! but it will be seen these cells I8 are taller andlonger than the cells I! so as to extend between the first group and theopposite end wall 14 of the box. In front of the group ii there is athird group I9 consisting of only .two cell members that are interposedbetween the sides of the group I! and are of such dimensions that theyfill the space between said group and the front wall ll of the box. Asingle tall cell member 20 is disposed between or at the juncture of thethree groups just described and fills the remaining space in the bottomof the box between the adjacent cell members and the front and end wallsI l and M respectively. This latter single cell 20 extends the fulldepth of the box so that its upper edge is flush with and in thehorizontal plane of the top of the box.

The walls of the cells above described, which are anchored in the bottomof the box, are of novel construction and are of cushioning orshock-absorbing material to prevent damage to the fragile articlesplaced therein. A typical cell member consists of rectangular sidewallsA and a rectangular bottom wall B, the latter resting upon the bottomwall ID of the box, as shown in detail in Figure 5. In order to securelyanchor the cell members in position a coating of glue, cement orsuitable adhesive C is interposedbetween adjacent surfaces of the bottomill of the Other means may be employed for anchoring these cell membersin the bottom of the box to prevent their accidental dislodgement. Thecell members, arranged in the groups and in the manner both describedare of different heights and the cells of one group have longitudinaland transverse dimensions different than the corresponding dimensions ofthe cells in the other groups. These anchored cells, therefor embodysmall unit receptacles into which fiat articles, such as saucers,plates, platters and the like may be placed and stored. If severalarticles areplaced in a single cellsuitable cushioning padsare adaptedto be interposed between the adjacent articles.

The upper or remaining portion of the box is filled with cellularmembers also arranged in groups and the groups are maintained in assembly in removable trays. One of these trays, containing sixteen cellularmembers, is shown in perspective in a raised position above the box inFigure 1, and details of the construction of a tray and several of itscellular units are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The removable traysections just mentioned are adapted to be disposed upon and be supportedby the upper edges of the vertical walls A of the anchored cells ll, l8and i9 and the height of the removable superposed tray sections,combined with the height of the anchored groups below these traysections is equal to the total depth of the box so that when the traysections and cellular groups have been stowed in the box the top edgesof the upper groups will be flush with the top of the box and the coveri5 when closed will engage these edges and maintain the inside structureof the container against dislodgement.

A sectional unit, such as illustrated in raised position in Figure 1,consists of a tray body hav ing shallow vertical walls D formed from astrip of material that is folded transversely to provide the corners andthere is a rectangular bottom wall E that may be either integral withthe other walls or may be a separate piece of ma- 1 terial. Thecross-sectional area of a tray is equal to the cross-sectional area ofthe space into which it is adapted to be placed between certain walls ofthe box or between a cellular member and a wall or walls of the box. Thecell members of the group within a tray consist of vertical walls Fformed from a strip of material that has been folded to provide thecorners and there is a bottom wall G either integral with or separatefrom the vertical walls. The novel construction of the trays and cellsabove described provides a very effective means for preventing breakageor damage to the fragile articles that are packed in the containerbecause of the fact that the tray is completely fabricated fromshock-absorbing or cushioning material and the cellular members groupedin and secured to the trays also are made from the same or similarmaterial. This construction permits the articles being packed in the,container without the usual laborious and comparatively expensiveoperation of placing an individual wrapping or padding about eacharticle and thereafter carefully depositing them in the barrel or otherreceptacle.

A plurality of these cell members are assembled in a tray with theirWalls contacting other cell walls and certain of the cell walls abuttingthe tray walls, and the contiguous upper margins of the walls aresecurely fastened together by staples H or the like, as in the mannershown in Figure 4.

In the container structure shown herein, two trays provided with sixteencells each, (identified in Figures 6, 8 and 9 as trays X), are disposedin superposed relation the one upon the other, with the bottom of thelower tray supported upon the upp'er edges of the cell groups I? and. i9that are anchored in the bottom of the box. top of each other aresubstantially the height of the groups I? and I9 and they fill the spacebetween the tops of said anchored cells and the top of the box. Anothertray, (designated in Figures 7 and 8 as tray Y), which is taller thanthe trays X and is superposed andrests upon the upper edges of theanchoredgroup' [8 so that it fills the space "above group between Thesetwo trays when placed upon,

the adjacent inner faces of trays X and the end Wall M of the box. Itwill be seen that when the cover i is closed it will engage the topedges of trays X and Y and their cells and maintain all of the interiorstructure against slipping movement or accidental dislodgement. Thetrays X are adapted to have cups and similar small ,fragile articlesplaced therein, and the tray Y is adapted to have'saucers and similarsized articles placed therein.

The trays and all of the cellular members, (which includes thoseanchored in the bottom of the box), are formed of shock-absorbingmaterial or other material that is adapted to cushion the articlescontained in the cells and prevent breakage thereof 'or damage thereto.I have ascertained, after considerable experimentation, thatdouble-faced corrugated board affords an excellent shock-absorbingmaterial with which to construct the trays and cellular members and inFigures 3, 4 and 5, I have shown the trays and their cellular membersformed from this material. It will be understood however that I do notlimit myself to this particular material in the construction of thetrays and cellular members for it is obvious other materials may be welladapted for the purpose. However, the corrugated board is inexpensive ascompared to a specially made cushion or shock-absorbing material and itis sufliciently stiff to maintain its shape for a relatively long periodof time, and I therefore, prefer to make use of this material in themanner I have mentioned.

What I claim is:

l. A container and the like comprising a rectangular box; a plurality ofcellular members anchored in the bottom of said box, said membersarranged in groups and certain of the groups having different heightsand less than the depth of said box; and a plurality of removablecellular members assembled in groups and supported upon the upper edgesof certain of the first-named cellular members, and the said removablegroups being of different heights with respect to each other and withrespect to said anchored groups; whereby the combined height of theanchored members and the removable members which are superposed thereonis equal to the depth of said box.

2. A container and the like comprising a rectangular box; a plurality ofcellular members anchored in the bottom of said box, said members havingdifierent heights and less than the depth of said box, each member initself embodying a complete independent unit; means securing each saidmember to its adjacent members; a plurality of removable trays supportedupon the upper edges of the anchored members,

said removable trays having diiferent heights and less than the depth ofsaid box, the relation of the removable trays with respect to theanchored members being such that their combined heights equal the depthof said box; cellular members in said removable trays, each member initself embodying a complete independent unit; and means securing eachsaid unit to its respective tray and to its adjacent units.

3. A container and the like comprising a rectangular box; a plurality ofcellular members anchored in the bottom of said box and havingshock-absorbing Walls, said members assembled in groups and eachassembled group having a height different than an adjacent group; and aplurality of removable cellular members supported upon the upper edgesof the first-named cellular members and having shock-absorbing walls,said removable-members also assembled'in groups and each assembled grouphaving a height different than an adjacent group, where'- by thecombined'heights of the anchored members and the superposed removablemembers is equal to the depth of said box,

4. A container andthe like comprising a rectangular box; a plurality ofcellular members anchored in the bottom of said box and havingshock-absorbing walls of diiferent heights and less than the depth ofsaid box; each said member in itself embodying a complete independentunit each of which is secured to the shockabsorbing walls of adjacentunits; a plurality of removable trays supported upon the upper edges ofsaid anchored members and provided with shock-absorbing walls, saidremovable trays having different heights and less than the depth of saidbox, the relation of said removable trays with respect to said anchoredmembers being such that their combined heights equals the depth of saidbox; cellular members in said removable trays and having shock-absorbingwalls,

each said member in itself embodying a complete independent unit each ofwhich is secured to the shock-absorbing walls of its respective tray andto its adjacent units, whereby a tray and its cellular members provide areadily movable unitary structure.

5. A container and the like comprising a hollow rectangular box open atits top; a plurality of cellular members anchored in the bottom of saidbox and having open tops, said members arranged in groups of diiferentheights; a plurality of removable cellular members having open tops andsupported upon the upper edges of the firstnamed cellular members, saidremovable members also disposed in groups of different heights; theheight of an anchored group and the superposed members supported therebybeing equal to the depth of said box; and a movable cover c1osing theopen top of said box adapted to maintain said cellular members againstdisplacement.

6. A container and the like comprising a hollow rectangular box open atits top; a plurality of cellular members anchored in the bottom of saidbox and having open tops, said members arranged in groups of diiferentheights and less than the depth of said box, and each cellular member initself embodying a complete independent unit; means securing eachcellular member to its adjacent members; a plurality of removable traysof different heights supported upon the upper edges of the anchoredcellular members, the relation of the removable trays with relation tothe anchored members being such that their combined heights equal thedepth of said box; groups of cellular members in said re movable trays,each said member embodying a complete independent unit; means securingeach said member to its respective tray and to its adjacent units; and amovable cover closing the top of said box adapted to maintain saidcellular members and trays against dislodgement.

7. A container comprising a hollowing rectangular box; in combinationwith a plurality of article holders disposed therein; one of saidholders embodying a relatively shallow rectangular tray having side andbottom walls formed of cushioning material; a plurality of separatecellular members disposed in longitudinal and transverse rows in saidtray, each said member embodying a unit having plurality of walls formedof cushioning material, the side-Walls of the unit having substantiallythe same height as the side-walls of the tray; and means anchoring theside-walls of said units to the sidewalls of adjacent longitudinal andtransverse units and also to adjacent side-walls of said tray,

8. A member for receiving fragile articles and the like to be packed ina container, said member embodying a rectangular tray open at its topand having a bottom-wall and side-Walls; a plurality of separatearticle-holding cells arranged in longitudinal and transverse rowswithin and filling said tray, each said cell constituting an individualunit that is open at its top and is formed with shock-absorbing walls,the sidewalls of the unit having substantially the same height as theside-walls of the tray; anchoring means adapted to secure portions ofeach cell to portions of the adjacent longitudinal and trans versecells; and other anchoring means securing portions of the tray sides tothe proximate Walls of the adjacent cells, whereby the cells and thetray constitute an integral member inherently adapted for readyinsertion into and removal from a container.

9. A container and the like for fragile articles embodying a hollowreceptacle; cellular members in the bottom of said receptacle arrangedin groups of difierent heights; and other cellular members forming anupper tier superposed GEORGE B. ANDERSON.

